Mt. Bromo is an active volcano situated inside Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, beside sacred Mount Semeru of East Java, Indonesia. Its breathtaking, ethereal and almost out of this world landscape captures the hearts of many travellers around the world. 😉
Our new found friend, Mr Erwin, my sister and I took the bison ride up to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park @ Tengger Village in order to get to Mt. Bromo. We had a striking change of scenery from the view of the mundane concrete jungle to rustic villages, green paddy fields, misty alpine forests, vegetable farms, hanging cliffs, towering waterfalls, and more.
Bromo Homestay at Cemoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo
We arrived at Comoro Lawang village @ Mt. Bromo in the evening, approximately 1-hour drive from Bayuangga Bus Terminal, Probolinggo. We did not pre-book any accommodation at Mt. Bromo because there are plenty of guesthouses, hotels and homestays around. 😉
The average rent for a basic double room with hot shower at Comoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo is Rp.280,000 per night. Our new found friend and angel in disguise, Mr. Erwin was kind enough to help my sister and I, including himself to secure a room with hot shower at Yoi Homestay for Rp.250,000 a night.
There was nothing to shout about our basic room. It had a functional bathroom (hot shower and squat toilet), a cosy double bed with pillows and blanket, a dressing table, a chair, and poorly maintained power sockets on the wall. Good news is, there were no bedbugs in sight! 😀
After checking-in to our respective rooms, we went out to explore the surrounding area around Cemoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo and walked right up to the edge of the caldera to catch a glimpse of the ash-spewing Mt. Bromo and Mt. Batok. From where we stood, we could see the Sea of Sands a.k.a Whispering Sands, the Savanah and Teletubbies Hill. It was a beautiful sight!
Delightful Dinner by the Caldera
Mr. Erwin, my sister and I decided to have our dinner at Cemara Indah Café. No reservation was made, we merely walked in and were shown to our table by a friendly waitress. We decided to eat indoors because it was freezing outside. 😛
The café served a handful of local and fusion food. We had a serving of club sandwich, spaghetti Bolognese with beef bacon and fried rice, with a cup of freshly brewed, locally grown tea. The food was average in comparison of the spectacular view we had of the caldera and Mt. Bromo.
We spent the night laughing at jokes, talking and sharing stories of our travels experiences. We then bid good night and retired for the night in our respective rooms, in anticipation of our Mt. Bromo Sunrise Tour happening in a just few hours.
hi erika/eva
im heading to bromo and will be reaching probolinggo late… do you have mr erwin’s contact? I would like to get an ojek to bring me up to cemoro lawang. im a solo female traveller
thanks a lot
felicia
Hi Felicia,
I am sorry, I cannot disclose the contact number of Mr. Erwin in respect of his privacy. Besides, he is not an agent or a tour guide and is definitely not from the area. He happened to visit Probolinggo/Bromo at the same time we were there. Our fortunate meeting was not prearranged at all. I hope you would understand. 🙂
My best advice for you is to spend the night in Probolinggo in a reputable hotel, guesthouse or homestay, then book an ojek to Cemoro Lawang through the establishment. That way is much safer than you flag down an unknown ojek on the streets and risk your safety.
As a female solo traveller, you have to be extra careful when you travel in East Java and be cautious of taking ojek rides for they have an infamous reputation there. Else, just skip the ojek idea and just take a bison (green/blue van) ride. The best time to take a bison ride up Bromo is in the morning (around 9am or in the afternoon around 12pm).
I hope that helps. Take care and safe travels to you! 🙂